Ringling Museum - Sarasota
Thursday February 28: I woke up early again. It was my final chance to score the big one in my shell hunt. The interesting thing today was all the animals crawling out of the sand while we walked by! I finished up the shells, we packed and were gone. We drove the last few roads we had missed in our past adventures and left the island. We are off to Sarasota.
It was a slow drive through Ft Myers, but then we got on a freeway and got to the Ringling Museum about 1 o’clock. This is where John, the youngest of the Ringling Brothers, and his wife Mabel built a beautiful winter home. They also wintered with the whole circus in this area.
The house was beautiful. You walk down a paved path lined with Mangrove trees and Palm trees. The house, near the water, then appears in the distance. It was inspired by the architecture in Italy. The glass was all shaded panes from Italy. The furniture was from Europe or elegant New York Estates. The chandelier in the living room was from the Astor Hotel in New York. The ceiling paintings were either done on site, or done and attached to the ceiling later. The bathrooms were all marble. The clothes still in his closet were his. They had separate bedrooms. His had a balcony overlooking the entry. Hers overlooked the front area too. The back balcony was on the water. Their yacht would be parked at the dock and they would have grand parties with bands and /or orchestras, on the yacht, or patio, or balcony.
Also, on the grounds was their art collection museum. This was huge. Again, most of the collection was from Italy. In the court yard were statues they had purchased in Italy along with a fake David.
Wayne, found the miniature circus most amazing. If you want to see more pictures of this just ask!! We must have 200. The man who did this was amazing or nuts. Every detail of the circus is there. In the dining hall there is even the china, silver and crystal that they used…in miniature. The lights came on and off to represent night and day in the circus. There was action in the Big Top. The train the circus traveled on, the wagons, the parade, the Fairway and all the carts and tents that would be set up for games.
If you are in Sarasota, this is a must see. There is something for everyone!
 
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